With the highly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup just around the corner, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has opted to emphasize the essence of sportsmanship over fierce rivalry during his recent media interaction.
In a cricketing world often dominated by intense rivalries, Rohit Sharma’s focus on sportsmanship and a pragmatic approach serves as a poignant reminder of the game’s core values.
Set to unfold on September 2nd in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, this monumental encounter between cricketing powerhouses has historically been marred by intense competition. Nonetheless, Rohit Sharma calls upon everyone to view it as simply another cricket match.
“While the rivalry adds excitement to this highly anticipated contest, for Team India, it’s just another opponent,” stated Rohit during the press conference. “The Asia Cup features six highly competitive teams, and any team can emerge victorious on any given day.”
Rohit Sharma acknowledged Pakistan’s recent achievements in both T20Is and ODIs, which have propelled them to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. “Pakistan has shown exceptional prowess in recent times, rightfully securing their No. 1 ranking. Tomorrow’s match will be a formidable challenge,” he added.
Pakistan has already kicked off their Asia Cup campaign impressively with a convincing win over Nepal in Multan. Their formidable pace attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, poses a significant threat to India. However, Rohit Sharma underlined the importance of drawing upon their experience to counter the talented Pakistani bowling trio.
“In our practice sessions, we don’t have bowlers of Shaheen, Naseem, or Rauf’s caliber. We work with the bowlers we have, and they are all top-notch. Tomorrow, we will use our experience to tackle them,” Rohit explained.
The Indian skipper also downplayed the significance of winning the toss, emphasizing that it doesn’t guarantee victory. “We focus on setting achievable goals and concentrate on the task at hand. Tomorrow, we face Pakistan, and that’s where our attention lies. We’ve provided opportunities to several players, and now we aim to excel in these matches.”
READ MORE: Pakistan Dominates Asia Cup Opener with 238-Run Victory Over Nepal
